72nd Annual Collins Block Memorial ServiceSyracuse firefighters, their families and officials gathered this morning at Firefighters Memorial Park to honor 45 firefighters who died in the line of duty. On this day in 1939, eight firefighters died when the Collins Block building collapsed. An assistant chief died three days later. One of those attending the service was Shirley Scarcella, 82, who was 10 when she witnessed the Collins Block fire. Syracuse Fire Chief Mark McLees speaks about the dangers firefighters face daily. Video by Charley Hannagan.

The speeches were part of the 72nd Annual Collins Block Memorial Service.

Firefighters in their dress uniforms and turn-out gear, their families, Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputies, Mayor Stephanie Miner and other dignitaries gathered in the bright sun and bitter cold for a short service in Firefighters Memorial Park at 300 Townsend St.

While they honored the 45 Syracuse firefighters killed on the job since 1841, fire officials reminded those present of the sacrifices firefighters continue to make.

After the World Trade Center attack when 343 New York firefighters died, “firefighters were thrust into the limelight as hometown heroes,” said Syracuse Fire Chief Mark McLees.

Today, “the economy has bottomed out. The government has bailed out Wall Street, the banks, the automobile, insurance and housing industries. Firefighters’ pensions are now being blamed for the financial woes of the state and many other states across the nation,” he said.

“The last time I checked there was no plaque with the names of bankers who died in the line of duty. There are no statues of Wall Street executives who laid down their lives for total strangers,” he said.

James Ennis, president of Syracuse Firefighters Local 280, continued on the same theme.

“In these extremely difficult economic times, when pundits and others may argue about the number of firefighters needed to safely operate at a working fire, or complain about the pensions and benefits we receive, I remind you of the 45 brave men whose memories we honor here this morning,” Ennis said.

“I ask, and implore, that you assist us from ever having to add yet another name to the wall behind me,” he said.

At the 72nd annual Collins Block Memorial Service at Firefighters Memorial Park, Rosemary Dugan, daughter of Capt. Thomas Dugan who died in the Collins Block Fire, stands with a neighbor, Sean Conover. David Lassman / The Post-Standard

Ennis then reminded those present that firefighters and retirees face a shortened life expectancy, a greater risk of getting cancer and other diseases because of their continued exposure to smoke, toxins and other byproducts of combustion in the course of their careers.

Feb. 3, marks the 72nd anniversary of the collapse of the Collins Block, in which eight firefighters were killed. An assistant chief died three days later of a heart attack.

A bell rang, and the names of those firefighters, along with the others who've died, were read by retired Deputy Chief Thomas Laun.

Among those attending today’s ceremony was Shirley Scarcella, 82, who witnessed the collapse. It occurred on her 10th birthday.

“Every year I don’t think about my birthday. I think about the firefighters who lost their lives,” she said.